Kopp Electric
Company has received CertainTeed’s premier solar credential – Master Solar
Installer. Master Solar Installers demonstrate the highest levels of solar
knowledge as well as a commitment to quality and homeowner satisfaction.

Solar installers who achieve CertainTeed’s Master Solar Installer
credential are able to offer customers a 25-year installation workmanship
warranty on CertainTeed solar products, including the Solstice Solar System.
Backed by CertainTeed, the warranty is among the strongest of its kind in the
industry and includes end-to-end coverage for both the products and their
professional installation.

“Our
requirements for Master Solar Installers ensure a more knowledgeable installer
and provide customers with the best experience possible, so everyone wins,”
said Mark Stancroff, director of solar business for CertainTeed. “Kopp Electric
Company has a quality reputation with their customers and community. We’re
excited to work with them and provide homeowners with peace of mind knowing
that their solar system will be protected for the lifetime of the product.”

Kopp Electric
Company has served the New Jersey community for more than 25 years, providing
residential and commercial energy solutions, including solar system
installation. According to Kopp Electric Director Josh Kopp, all of the
company’s work is performed in- house by long-term, experienced employees and
craftsmen who value customers and take pride in their workmanship.

“At Kopp
Electric, the customer comes first and we are always looking for ways to
improve our services,” said Kopp. “We take pride in utilizing the best quality
products and the most up-to- date technologies and are proud to have
CertainTeed Master Installer status. CertainTeed’s brand, warranties and
products have a strong reputation for quality, which further demonstrates our
commitment to customers and our promise to deliver excellence.”

Nobody’s perfect.
We all make mistakes. What hurts the most is when we miss an obvious solution
to a problem — when we look back at a difficult time and realize an option we
didn’t take advantage of was staring us in the face all along. Picture Homer
Simpson smacking his forehead and exclaiming, “D’oh!”

When we look back
at this time in history, I think that’s how we’ll feel about adopting solar
power. No matter what your opinion is about other forms of energy, including
fossil fuels, nuclear power plants, and wind turbines, I think you’d have to
admit that we aren’t making enough use of solar. There are a lot of reasons for
that, but I think it’s obvious that in the rays of the sun, we have a
tremendous renewable resource that is mostly going by the wayside.

I interviewed a
plumbing contractor a few years ago who specialized in passive solar hot water
systems. He said the inspiration came to him when he picked up a garden hose
that had been out in the sun and the water nearly scalded his hand. “It was
then I thought, ‘Why am I paying a utility to heat the water in my house?’” he
said.

I was reminded of
that conversation when I interviewed Martin DeBono of GAF Energy for this
issue. Before entering the world of rooftop solar, DeBono had a background as a
nuclear engineer and served as a submarine officer in the Navy. “I’ve always
been fascinated by solar,” he said. “The sun provides the equivalent amount of
energy in one hour as all of the world’s power plants produce in a whole year.
You combine that with the fact that I am a huge outdoors person — I love the
outdoors —and you can see some of the challenges the world faces by relying on fossil
fuels.”

His job also
allows him to tap into his love of building things. “Last week I built a
mock-up roof in my driveway with a mock-up solar system to show some executives
and some family and friends what we do,” DeBono said. “So, solar gives me the
opportunity to build, to think, to advance technology and do something I
believe in.”

DeBono believes in
making the most of technology to harness the power of the sun. He also believes
in another obvious point: the roof is the domain of the roofing contractor. “We
firmly believe that roofers should be installing the system and ensuring the
integrity of the roof,” he said. “You do not want anybody other than a roofing
contractor working on your roof.”

Earlier this year, Standard Industries launched GAF Energy, a new company with
a lofty goal: revolutionizing residential rooftop solar. Working in tandem with GAF, GAF Energy is
driving the adoption of integrated and affordable rooftop solar solutions
across GAF’s established distribution network. The business model is designed
to tap into the strength of GAF’s network of more than 6,000 certified roofing contractors to
offer homeowners a comprehensive and economical approach to solar installation.

“We’ve created GAF
Energy to take on roof-integrated solar and bring it to the next level,” says Martin
DeBono, president of GAF Energy. “By
leveraging GAF’s roofing expertise with GAF Energy’s solar expertise, we’ve
created a solar kit designed specifically for roofers and their customers
during the re-roof and roof construction process.”

The company
believes that by standardizing these integrated solar solutions, they can be
more easily installed on residential roof replacements and new construction
projects. “By putting everything in a kit, we really simplify the process for a
roofer,” DeBono says. “In fact, our target roofing contractor is someone who
has never done solar.”

Connecting With Contractors

GAF Energy is currently
working with GAF sales teams to identify contractors with residential sales
teams that would be good candidates for adopting solar. Initially, the company
is focusing on nine states, with plans to expand nationwide. The nine states
are California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut,
Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island. Key factors in the consideration of
these markets included the climate, the price of electricity, and state and
local programs for utility rebates and incentives.

The roof-integrated solar kit is designed to function as part of the roof system and be aesthetically pleasing. Photo: GAF Energy

If contractors
seem like they will be a good fit, GAF Energy sets up a multi-pronged training
program, which includes classroom training and training in the field for both
salespeople and installers. “We have full day of classroom sales training with
a professional sales trainer,” DeBono explains. “After contractors complete the
sales training in the classroom, we provide field resources for in-home sales
training and on-the-roof training. We have field resources that we send out
with roofing contractors’ salespeople into the field. Once we have a successful
sale, we also provide on-the-roof training for the first installation. All of
that is done just for being part of the GAF contractor network because it is
our belief that we need to enable a new generation of roofers to sell and
install solar.”

According to
DeBono, GAF Energy is then able to provide all of the services that roofers
typically do not have, including electrical services, design services, and
connection services. “If the roofing contractors have the wherewithal to
continue the project with the electrical and the design, we’re happy to enable
that, but what we’ve found is that roofing contractors like GAF Energy to do
that. We work with the roofing contractors and their customers to determine
which services we provide and which services the roofer provides. It really
lowers the barrier for adoption for both the roofing contractor and the
homeowner.”

Contractors are
already selling and installing the system. “We launched the company in January,
we conducted our first sales training sessions in February, and we’ve already
received our first purchase orders,” DeBono notes.

The Solar Kit

The GAF Energy solar
roofing kit arrives at the home complete with everything needed for installation,
including the integrated photovoltaics (PV), flashings, all of the power and
electronics that are necessary, along with the hardware.

The system itself
screws into the deck and is flashed in a method similar to a skylight
installation. Power electronics plug into each other below the system and out
of sight, and leads are connected to the inverter, which can be installed by
the roofing contractor or GAF Energy.

The GAF Energy solar roofing kit arrives at the home complete with everything needed for installation. It is flashed in a method similar to a skylight installation. Photo: GAF Energy

The kit — and the
business model — are designed to provide synergy with the roofing contractor. “It
is our firm belief that the roof is the domain of the roofing contractor,” says
DeBono. “You do not want anybody other than a roofing contractor working on
your roof. As part of the Standard Industries family, we were founded to tap
into this market, but we have a strong heritage from GAF, so we completely
subscribe to that. We built a solar offering explicitly for roofers. First and
foremost, if the roof is not a waterproof barrier for your home, it’s a
failure, and we would never allow that to happen.”

The kit is also
designed to be aesthetically appealing. “It is a truly roof-integrated solar
system — the solar becomes the roof,” DeBono says. “It’s lower profile to the
roof, and it simply looks better. The roof being one of the largest influencers
on the physical appearance of one’s house, and the house being one of the
largest assets a homeowner owns, homeowners don’t want to put anything ugly on
their roof. By making it beautiful, we immediately eliminate the objections of
those folks who say ‘I don’t want solar on my roof because it’s ugly.’”

Value for Homeowners

The relationship with
GAF Energy is designed to benefit the homeowner as well as the contractor. “The
value for the homeowners is they have a local contact who sells and installs
our system and will be there if there is ever an issue, and they are working
hand-in-hand with a manufacturer to provide an unparalleled level of support,” DeBono
says. “The solar kit is covered by the same warranty as the roof. It’s backed
by a waterproof guarantee from Standard Industries, which has been around for
over 130 years.”

Photo: GAF Energy

DeBono believes
that for most customers, the decision to add solar comes down to the bottom
line. “The primary reason people go solar is to save money,” says DeBono. “There
is this vision that people go solar because they are green. But the tipping
point to go solar is really about saving money. As we roll this program out,
we’ve been focusing on the nine states that offer the best savings.”

DeBono notes the sales
cycle for his company’s solar system is about the same as that for a re-roof.
“It’s definitely not longer,” he says. “The reason for that is it’s a very simple
sale. With our system, we are turning your roof from a static asset into an
energy-generating asset that saves you money every month. The only increase in
the sales cycle may be the matter of 15 minutes or 20 minutes in the home where
we explain it to the customer. What’s critical about our model — remember we
have our heritage as a roofing company — is our approach is perfectly
compatible with the way roofing contractors sell and do business today.”

Customers calling
for a new roof might be good candidates for solar, whether they know it or not.
According to DeBono, contractors handling calls about a roofing estimate first
check Google maps to determine if the location will be compatible with a solar
application. If so, the discussion could lead to adding the solar kit: “The
contractor might say, ‘In the same time frame it will take us to put in your
new roof, we can make it a solar roof. Instead of this great asset that lasts
for 25 years and keeps you warm and dry, you can have a great asset that lasts
for 25 years, keeps you warm and dry — and oh, by the way, it generates
electricity every day and saves you money every month.’ We’re seeing that
people are really interested in that value proposition.”

With a background
as a nuclear engineer, submarine officer in the Navy, and six years in the
solar industry, DeBono believes the roofing industry is the key to expanding
the rooftop solar market. “We at GAF Energy have this mission: energy from
every roof,” he says. “And when you look at the size of the roofing industry
compared to the size of the solar industry, if you really want to accomplish energy
from every roof, it has to be done from a roofing platform.”

GAF Energy, a Standard Industries company focused on transforming solar roofing, announced that Gabriela Bunea has joined the company as Head of Research and Development. In her new role based in the Bay Area, Dr. Bunea will lead development and innovation of solar technology at GAF Energy.

“Gabi is a world class leader in solar technology, and we are thrilled for her to direct our R&D efforts at GAF Energy,” said David Winter, co-CEO of Standard Industries. “Her technical expertise and creative approach to energy-efficient solutions will be central in driving innovation and helping us achieve our mission to generate energy from every roof.”

Led by Martin DeBono, GAF Energy is driving the next frontier of integrated solar technology directly into rooftop materials. Given the scale of investment and GAF’s broad customer base, GAF Energy is in a prime position to accelerate the adoption of affordable residential rooftop solar, delivering high quality products at scale. With Dr. Bunea at the helm, GAF Energy’s research and development team will design the solar roof of the future.

“Gabi has a proven track record in the solar industry, and she brings unparalleled technical expertise to GAF Energy,” added David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries. “Combining our strategic focus and the scale of our roofing businesses with Gabi’s innovative leadership will pioneer new and affordable solar solutions for our customers around the world.”

Dr. Bunea brings 20 years of extensive technical experience and leadership in the solar and microelectronics industries to GAF Energy, most recently as Vice President of Research, Development and Deployment at SunPower Corporation. Prior to that, she held multiple roles managing Module Research, Development, Deployment and Product Design at SunPower, and previously worked as a Member of the Technical Staff in the Microelectronics Division at Lucent Technology. She holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Boston University and is an active member in IEEE Women in Engineering.

Standard Industries announced the launch of GAF Energy, a new company that aims to revolutionize the adoption of rooftop solar for everyday consumers.Working in partnership with GAF, a Standard Industries company and the largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America, GAF Energy will drive scalable adoption of integrated and affordable rooftop solar solutions across GAF’s established distribution network. Customers will benefit from a streamlined, turnkey approach to going solar when selecting GAF Energy, from planning and financing, to installation and permitting with utilities.

“As the largest global player in roofing and waterproofing, we will reshape the way clean solar energy becomes a reality for everyone,” said David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries. “We believe that roofing is real estate and we see a future with energy from every roof. GAF Energy’s offerings will empower people to put their roofs to work with technology that is attractive, accessible and affordable.”

GAF Energy empowers roofing contractors across the United States with a comprehensive and economical approach to solar installations, bypassing the high-cost of customer acquisition most pure solar technology companies face today. With dedicated support teams and training for project management, design, permitting and installation of GAF Energy’s integrated solar roofs, local and regional contractors can effectively grow their businesses while meeting demand for more clean and sustainable sources of energy.

“We are best positioned to accelerate the growth of residential solar with over a century of waterproofing experience and the largest network of roofing distributors and contractors in the world. Our team is in the kitchen with the homeowner at the moment a new roof is required: the most perfect time to provide the opportunity to go green. We couldn’t be more excited to have Martin DeBono and a world class team lead the evolution of rooftop solar for years to come,” said David Winter, co-CEO of Standard Industries.

“GAF Energy capitalizes on the historic challenges facing the rooftop solar industry — acquisition and installation costs — and turns them into demonstrable strengths, making it easy for customers to say ‘yes’ to solar rooftops,” said Martin DeBono, President of GAF Energy. “Our product is smart, integrated and economical, and we hope it will mark a fundamental shift in rooftop solar adoption around the world.”

With offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York Metro Area, GAF Energy is building a world-class team to generate Energy From Every Roof. Learn more about some of the new opportunities at GAF Energy by visiting our careers page, and join us in forging the future of rooftop solar.

The importance of solar energy to provide renewable energy options and protect the health of our environment is a national movement that got a big boost in California recently. The state government adopted new policies to establish a more progressive foundation for the use of solar power in residential buildings as part and parcel of its pioneering “net-zero” mission.

While California is at the leading edge of solar energy production, other states such as Colorado, New Jersey and Virginia are not far behind. So, whether roofing companies are working in California or somewhere else in the country — especially the so-called “sunshine states” — it would be smart for them to better understand the state-of-the-art technologies as well as nuts-and-bolts mechanics of high-performance solar energy systems.

Solar Energy Systems on Every New Home

Of most interest to roofers in California is a far-reaching energy policy adopted earlier this year by the California Energy Commission requiring that solar photovoltaic (PV) electric systems be installed on virtually every new residential dwelling built in the state starting in 2020. “California is about to take a quantum leap in energy standards,” stated Robert Raymer, technical director for the California Building Industry Association. “No other state in the nation mandates solar, and we are about to take that leap.”

For California’s roofing industry, this pro-solar policy could open the door for significant new business opportunities as home builders prepare for the 2020 implementation.

California has been a leading proponent of solar power for the past decade with its goal of reaching net-zero energy usage by 2045. Committed to the long-term use of solar power, the California Energy Commission took a major step toward achieving that goal, and beyond, by adopting a policy in May of this year that will make solar energy systems standard on virtually every new home built in California starting in 2020.

California’s net-zero mission dates to 2007 when the Energy Commission adopted the goal aimed at making homebuilding so efficient “newly constructed buildings can be net zero energy by 2020 for residences and by 2030 for commercial buildings.” Under this policy, solar energy was considered one component of building more energy efficient homes — but was not required.

Now, the new solar mandate, officially called the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, requires that all houses, condos and apartment buildings up to three stories which secure building permits after January 1, 2020, install solar energy systems. The new CEC policy focuses on four key areas: smart residential photovoltaic systems; updated thermal envelope standards (preventing heat transfer from the interior to exterior and vice versa); residential and nonresidential ventilation requirements; and nonresidential lighting requirements. The standards also encourage demand-responsive technologies such as heat pump water heaters, improvements to a building’s thermal envelope to enhance comfort and energy savings by inclusion of high-performance insulation and windows.

“Under these new standards, buildings will perform better than ever, and at the same time they contribute to a reliable grid,” explains CEC Commissioner Andrew McAllister, who is the commission’s lead on energy efficiency. “The buildings that Californians buy and live in will operate very efficiently while generating their own clean energy. They will cost less to operate, have healthy indoor air and provide a platform for ‘smart’ technologies that will propel the state even further down the road to a low emissions future.”

A grid-connected residential energy storage system that synergistically combines solar and energy storage can greatly reduce a homeowner’s operational reliance on the local electric utility. Photos: PetersenDean Roofing & Solar

With the new standards in place, more advanced solar products and roofing systems will become the norm as consumers expect optimum performance and maximum savings from their solar investments. Based on a 30-year mortgage, the Energy Commission estimates that although the new standards could add about $40 to a residential homeowner’s average monthly payment, they will save consumers $80 on monthly heating, cooling and lighting bills.

“With this adoption, the California Energy Commission has struck a fair balance between reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously limiting increased construction costs,” explains California Building Industry Association CEO and President Dan Dunmoyer. “This set of cost-effective standards ensures homebuyers will recoup their money over the life of the dwelling.”

SB 700 Boosts Storage Battery Use

California’s most recent pro-solar policy, SB 700, was signed into law by California Gov. Jerry Brown in September and promises to give use of solar energy another big boost in the state. The new measure extends California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) for an additional five years, from the current January 1, 2021 expiration date until January 1, 2026. SGIP provides substantial rebates to homeowners through the state Public Utilities Commission for the installation of energy storage systems that save solar power for use during off hours such as evenings and cloudy days, or during utility blackouts.

This extension should also add to the demand for new and retrofit solar systems — a boost that could benefit roofing companies which also install solar panels.

Understanding this potential, PetersenDean Roofing & Solar is at the forefront of storage battery technology as a key component of our solar energy systems. To this end, we have partnered with SolarEdge, a global leader in PV inverters, power optimizers, and module-level monitoring services, and LG Chem, the world’s largest lithium-ion battery manufacturer. With this partnership in place, our company has made a major leap towards utilizing state-of-the-art storage battery technology as part of the solar packages we offer to our builder customers and home owners.

High-performance storage systems such as lithium ion batteries also dramatically increase the homeowner’s independence from utilities and the associated challenges related to stability and rate increases with lower energy costs. A grid-connected residential energy storage system that synergistically combines solar and energy storage can greatly reduce a homeowner’s operational reliance on the local electric utility. Simply put, modern batteries make it possible for homeowners to use stored solar energy not only during the night and possible blackouts, but during peak demand times when utility rates are at their highest, thus keeping their monthly utility bills lower.

On a macro level, storage battery technology offers electric utilities the opportunity to create a smarter power grid that, among other benefits, can give the utility better control over managing peak demand and thus reduce the need for new, extremely costly generation plants to cover that demand. Considering all the changes required by utilities and regulatory agencies as these entities respond to the new energy age, this transformational storage technology provides energy producers more creative ways to connect with home builders and home owners, giving them greater control over their efforts to save money and help our environment by using more renewable energy.

This also creates huge potential. The market research firm IHS Markit states that energy storage is considered critical to enabling power delivery systems that are heavily reliant on renewable energy, and batteries will play an important role in this transition. According to Grid-Connected Energy Storage Market Tracker by IHS Markit, 130 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery energy storage will likely be installed worldwide between 2018 and 2025.

Need For Education

Continuing education is critical. As alternative-energy policies such as those adopted by California become more prevalent in states across the country, builders and their planners/architects must be in tune with the changing demands and requirements of structural design and implementation that optimize the performance of solar as well as other non-polluting energy producing systems.

“There is a lack of awareness and technical expertise with respect to creating cost-effective net zero energy communities,” explains Judi G. SchweitzerMRED, AMDP, CALGreen CAC, founder and owner of Orange County, California-basedSchweitzer & Associates. An energy consultant for the state as well as major residential developers, Schweitzer states emphatically that one of the top priorities to achieving optimum performance is education.

Whatever aspect of solar energy production in which a roofing company or other vendor may be involved, ongoing education is key to knowledge and success. To assist roofing companies with education and information, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)hosts as part of its website The Rooftop Solar Resource (www.rooftopsolarresource.com). This site serves as a comprehensive resource for homeowners, business owners, building managers and consumers looking for information regarding solar rooftops, as well as a resource for contractors, suppliers, architects, designers and consultants seeking more information regarding the technical aspects of rooftop solar installations.

Nevertheless, while much has been written and says about solar energy and its benefits, education about system design and proper installation is at best, lagging. For example, we are still amazed as we do our on-the-ground assessments how many residential solar panel systems are improperly designed and installed, such as not orienting solar panels for maximum exposure to the sun.

Along with orientation, Schweitzer points out that the size of a solar PV system will depend on such factors as the location of a home and its relative climate zone. Obviously, solar panels will perform better on homes located in sunbelt states, but even in these regions, design and installation are critical to performance. One other point that falls under education: Something as basic as the correct color of a roof can improve the performance of a solar energy system. Combining a PV system with a so-called cool roof — usually white or light colored — can boost the performance of a solar system by as much as 10 percent. When it comes to the wise production of energy, every percentage point counts.

About the Author: Gary Liardon is president of the Consumer Group Nationwide at PetersenDean Roofing & Solar, a full-service roofing and solar company based in Fremont, California that employs 3,000 workers and operates in 11 states. For more information, visit www.petersendean.com.

When it comes to sustainable building practices, solar is hot. With the availability and interest in residential solar systems growing rapidly nationwide, it’s important for builders, contractors and installers to know the fundamentals and brush up on best practices to help homeowners make informed decisions.

The webinar will be held on November 7 at 2 p.m. EST. Free registration sign up is available here. The webinar will feature noted author, presenter and expert Todd Miller, president of Isaiah Industries, who has spent his long professional career in the metal roofing industry, including providing expertise, ideas and guidance to hundreds of homeowners planning for solar installations.

“Driven by California residential solar mandates coming in 2020, residential solar systems are becoming more mainstream nationwide,” said Renee Ramey, executive director of Metal Roofing Alliance. “To capitalize on the opportunity as well as to help guide homeowners during the planning process, it’s important for the trade to understand the essentials for residential rooftop solar installation.”

Contractors and roofing installers also can find the primer for solar rooftop installation on MRA’s website at www.metalroofing.com, in addition to information about how to become a MRA member and gain access to other education and training related to a wide variety of metal roof topics.

“We are thrilled to have the leadership of PetersenDean on our board of directors,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “The solar industry continues to grow amid intensifying competition, and PetersenDean’s guidance on our board will be critical as solar power becomes the single largest source of new electric generating capacity over the next decade.”

Based in Fremont, Calif., PetersenDean is a full-service, privately-held roofing and solar company that has offered professional roofing and solar installation services nationwide for more than 30 years. PetersenDean has been a member of SEIA since 2008, playing a key role in guiding the solar industry through a number of federal and state policy battles in the last decade.

“We are excited to take a more active role with SEIA,” said Gary Liardon. “At this critical juncture in the evolution of the space, we recognize the duty to adopt a hands-on approach that will bring decades of experience to the table and help shape policy that will ensure thoughtful and responsible growth going forward.”

Improved disk design works with all S-5! clamps and exposed-fastened brackets

UL 2703 Listed (Pending)

S-5! introduced the original direct-attachment solar panel system 11 years ago. By listening to customer feedback, S-5! has created PV Kit 2.0 to solve installer bottlenecks, while improving installation time. These enhancements make the PV Kit 2.0 the most cost-effective PV mounting solution for installers, design professionals and building owners.

PetersenDean Roofing & Solar has just acquired Hawaii-based Haleakala Solar. Founded in 1977, Haleakala Solar is Hawaii’s largest solar and battery installer.

Haleakala Solar has been installing photovoltaic (PV) solar and water heating systems as well as battery storage solutions for more than 40 years and has completed more than 15,000 projects. There are plans to add roofing installations in the first quarter of the transition. The company operates on three of the Hawaiian Islands and plans to expand into a fourth in 2018. The newly acquired company is poised to add approximately 1,000 new jobs and grow to approximately $100 million in sales over the next 24 months.

Jim Whitcomb, founder of Haleakala Solar, approached Jim Petersen, CEO and President of PetersenDean Roofing & Solar, late last year for a strategic purchase. “It seemed like the perfect synergy between the two companies,” stated Whitcomb. “In 40 years, Haleakala has grown into the largest residential PV installer in Hawaii so it would only make sense to go straight to the largest rooftop PV installer in the United States when the time came to hand over the reins. We share a commitment to excellence and PetersenDean’s size, organization, and impeccable reputation will take the company to a new level.”

This new acquisition now positions PetersenDean as the nation’s largest publicly- and privately-held roofing and solar company. “PetersenDean is a perfect fit for Hawaii given our size and product offerings, in addition, we have the finance options to truly help the island community to install a new roof, solar or a home battery at very low monthly payments,” said Petersen. “We look forward to growing our business in Hawaii and adding more American jobs in doing so.”

Gary Liardon, the President of the Consumer Division of PetersenDean Roofing & Solar, is heading up this transition as well as the additional acquisitions planned across the United States in 2018. “We are excited to add Mr. Whitcomb and the Haleakala team to the ranks. Mr. Whitcomb will stay on and take an active role in the sales development segment of the company in Hawaii as we add new verticals to the market and expand to the remaining islands.”

This planned expansion will increase employment in this Hawaiian segment of the organization to over 1,000 jobs in the next 24 months. Currently, Haleakala Solar employs about 125.

Hawaii has long been a leader in renewable energy. In 2015, it set a mandate that 100 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable energy by 2045. Regulators also just approved Hawaii Electric’s grid modernization plan along with a suite of demand response and solar tariff programs.

“Solar is a critical part of the state’s energy portfolio. The islands are a virtual incubator for all new technology in this space especially because of the state mandates that require all of the islands to be operating on 100 percent renewable energy by 2045,” said Liardon. “Hawaii already boasts some of the highest shares of renewable energy in the country, all on islands isolated from the stability of neighboring grids. That’s made them a natural testing ground for new technologies and regulatory models, including battery-backed solar and wind farms, aggregated demand response and energy storage, peak-shifting electric vehicle charging, and voltage-smoothing smart inverters and grid power electronics.”

PetersenDean continues to represent stability and innovation in both renewable energy and home improvement markets. The company’s solid fiscal performance and scalable systematic approach are paving the way for substantial growth over the next few years. “With the balance sheet, leadership, and strategic growth roadmap currently in place the company is on pace to grow from $400 million to over $1 billion in revenues over the next few years,” said Petersen.

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July/August 2019

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Roofing is a national publication that unravels, investigates and analyzes how to properly design, install and maintain a roof system. Through the voices of professionals in the field, Roofing’s editorial provides a unique perspective.